Did you know that amidst the upheaval of divorce, many small business owners in Florida discover opportunities they never knew existed? Yes, it’s true. While the initial shock might feel like being capsized in open water, there’s a treasure trove hidden beneath the waves. This journey is not just about navigating the storms of separation but about uncovering the hidden gems that can redefine your business and personal life.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships:

Enhanced Customer Engagement:

Each of these opportunities can transform the seemingly daunting process of navigating a divorce into a journey of discovery and growth. By focusing on these untapped potentials, small business owners can not only survive the storm but emerge more robust, more resilient, and with a revitalized business poised for success.

How to Get There

First Step: Confront the Kraken: Demystifying Your Fears

Every small business owner facing a divorce carries a chest of fears: the survival of their business, the well-being of their employees, and the preservation of their hard-earned success. Let’s dive deep into these waters, not to provoke more fear but to shine a light on them. Understanding these fears is the first step toward transforming them into a strategic plan of action and emotional fortitude.

For a business owner going through a divorce, several fears and concerns might surface, touching both personal and professional aspects of their lives. These fears often stem from the potential impact of the divorce on their business operations, finances, and future growth. Here are some of the common fears:

  1. Loss of Business Control: The fear that a divorce settlement might require them to give up shares or control of their business to their spouse, potentially losing authority over business decisions.
  2. Financial Instability: Concerns about how the divorce might strain their personal and business finances, including the costs of legal representation, potential alimony, and child support payments, on top of splitting assets.
  3. Business Valuation Disputes: Anxiety over how the business will be valued for the purposes of the divorce, which can be a complex and contentious process, potentially leading to unfavorable outcomes.
  4. Impact on Daily Operations: Worry that the divorce process might distract them from their business, affecting their ability to manage daily operations effectively, leading to decreased productivity and profitability.
  5. Employee Morale and Retention: Fear that the divorce might unsettle employees, leading to concerns about job security and potential changes in management or ownership, which could affect morale and retention.
  6. Reputation and Customer Perception: Concerns about how the divorce might be perceived by customers, partners, and the wider business community, potentially affecting the business’s reputation and relationships.
  7. Privacy Concerns: The fear that the divorce process might expose sensitive business information or personal financial details to public scrutiny, especially if the proceedings become contentious.
  8. Future Growth and Investment: Anxiety about how the divorce might affect future business growth opportunities, including the ability to secure investments or loans, given the potential impact on the owner’s financial stability.
  9. Tax Implications: Concerns over the possible tax implications of dividing business assets or restructuring the business as part of the divorce settlement.
  10. Emotional Toll and Decision-Making: The fear that the emotional toll of the divorce might impair their judgment and decision-making capabilities, both in personal and business contexts.

Addressing these fears requires careful planning, legal counsel, and often, a support network to help navigate the complexities of divorce for business owners.

The Law Offices Of E.F. Robinson, P.A. is Your Compass Through The Storm.

Beyond Legal Advice: Finding Your Guiding Star

The right legal counsel in this scenario acts not just as a navigator but as a guiding star, providing not only the direction but the support and understanding needed to make informed decisions. This section showcases how specialized legal representation can do more than protect your assets; it can offer innovative solutions tailored to your unique situation and business model. The importance of choosing the right legal partner cannot be overstated. This section provides insight into what makes a legal advisor a true ally in your journey. It’s about finding someone who resonates with your entrepreneurial spirit and personal values, offering not just legal strategies but a partnership built on trust, empathy, and shared goals.

The Untapped Opportunities in the Depths

Here, we explore the silver linings and hidden opportunities that emerge from divorce for small business owners. From financial restructuring that positions your business for exponential growth to the potential for new business models and ventures that may never have been considered otherwise. We’ll also touch on personal growth and how overcoming the challenges of divorce can lead to increased resilience, sharper business acumen, and a more profound understanding of what you’re truly capable of achieving.

Navigating with Knowledge and Insight

Understanding the nuances of Florida’s divorce laws is crucial for small business owners. This section aims to simplify these laws, highlighting protective measures and strategic approaches to safeguard your business and personal assets. It’s about equipping you with the knowledge to navigate these legal waters confidently, ensuring you emerge on the other side with your business not just intact but poised for new adventures.

The importance of choosing the right legal partner cannot be overstated. This section provides insight into what makes a legal advisor a true ally in your journey. It’s about finding someone who resonates with your entrepreneurial spirit and personal values, offering not just legal strategies but a partnership built on trust, empathy, and shared goals.

The journey through divorce for small business owners is fraught with challenges but also ripe with opportunity. This post has illuminated the path beyond the immediate turmoil, showcasing the hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. With the right mindset, informed strategies, and the ideal legal partner, the stormy seas of divorce can lead you to new shores of personal and professional growth.

Don’t navigate these turbulent waters alone. Uncover the hidden opportunities awaiting your business on the other side of this storm. Contact the Law Offices of E.F. Robinson, P.A. at (954) 840-5301 for a consultation today, and let’s explore together how specialized legal guidance can not only safeguard your journey through divorce but also unveil the untapped potential for your business’s future.

Your relationship is over, but you have children. You have tried to stay together for the children, but the arguments continue and the unhappiness grows. Finally, you decide that you want and need peace in life. You deserve peace.  What happens next?

The conversation that you need to have next is not about who is going to file the Divorce Petition (in Florida, called a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage). The conversation is not about who is going to get the house or the value of marital share of the retirement (in Florida, called Equitable Distribution).  The first conversation that you need to have after making the decision to divorce focuses on how you will work together with your spouse to minimize the impact of your divorce upon your children.  The conversation will not be easy. Considering the parties, it might need to occur in a public place, or at home, or even with the help of a third party.  However, the conversation needs to result in a commitment in both of your parts to facilitate the parent/child relationship for the other parent.  This conversation could result in a Parenting/Timesharing Plan which outlines the time that each of you will spend with the children.

What if your spouse wants to fight and will not make an agreement? Do not be surprised; after all, there is a reason why you want a divorce.  You need to make your own commitment that you will do your best to facilitate the relationship between your children and your spouse, even if it is unilateral.   This does not mean giving up your rights to your children.  If married, you are an equal parent and have the same rights to your children as the other parent.  It simply means that while advocating for your rights to your children, you will not interfere with your spouse’s rights to your children.  Yes, it means taking the high road.

Simply put, in making your decision to divorce, your first and most important priority is to minimize the impact on the children by developing a Parenting and Timesharing Plan which will allow both of you to spend time with your children.

Let us help you do that. Call the Law Offices of E.F. Robinson, P.A., to schedule a consultation 954-840-5301 or use the bot below and we will help you start a new chapter in your Book of Life.

Florida Statutes § 743.07(2) states that support of a child beyond the age of 18 may be appropriate where the child is dependent because of a mental or physical incapacity that began before the age of majority.

Does Florida pay parents to care for a disabled child?
Florida: Paid Benefits for Parents Caring for a Disabled Child In Florida. Florida recently passed legislation creates a Family Home Health Aide program for Medically Fragile Children. Parents can be paid for complex skilled services after completing a training program.Dec 8, 2023

https://hemnesslaw.com/getting-the-most-child-support-for-your-child-with-special-needs/

Balancing a thriving career with the responsibilities of co-parenting can feel like you’re running two full-time jobs. One requires your strategic thinking and leadership. The other requires your heart, patience, and presence.

When you add the emotional complexities of divorce or separation, the balance can seem almost impossible. But the truth is—while it’s not easy—it is possible to succeed in both roles without burning out.

1. Start with a Strong Parenting Plan

A well-crafted parenting plan is the foundation of successful co-parenting. It removes uncertainty, reduces conflict, and gives both you and your child a predictable routine. This means:

When you know what to expect, you can focus more on your work during the day and your child when you’re together.

2. Use Tools to Stay Organized

Co-parenting apps like OurFamilyWizard, TalkingParents, or even shared Google Calendars can help manage schedules, share updates, and store important documents in one place. These tools minimize last-minute surprises and keep both parents on the same page—literally.

3. Respect Work and Home Boundaries

It’s easy to let work spill into home life and vice versa. Try to protect your parenting time as much as possible. Let your team or clients know in advance about key parenting commitments. On the flip side, avoid letting home disputes disrupt your workday by setting specific times for co-parent communication.

4. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

You may not be able to spend all your free time with your child, but the moments you do have can be deeply meaningful. Create small traditions—a Friday night movie, Saturday breakfast pancakes, or bedtime stories—that give your child consistency and memories to treasure.

5. Keep Your Child Out of Adult Disputes

No matter how tense things may get with your co-parent, your child should never feel like the messenger or referee. Keep conflicts private and focus on what’s best for them. Remember: your child’s emotional security is just as important as their physical needs.

6. Give Yourself Grace

You won’t always get it perfect. Some days the house will be messy, deadlines will loom, and you might feel pulled in every direction. That doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re human. What matters is showing up with love and doing your best in the moment.

Successful co-parenting as a working parent isn’t about perfection—it’s about balance, communication, and a focus on what truly matters: your child’s well-being. With the right systems and mindset in place, you can lead in the boardroom and create a nurturing home life your child can count on.

Need help creating a parenting plan that works for your career and your child?

The Law Offices of E.F. Robinson, P.A. can guide you through custody arrangements, timesharing schedules, and modifications to fit your family’s needs.

When it comes to planning for your family’s future, many people think a will is all they need. In Florida, however, a revocable living trust can offer significant advantages that a will simply can’t match. Whether you’re looking to protect your privacy, simplify the transfer of assets, or prepare for unexpected life changes, a trust can be a powerful tool.

Here are the top 10 reasons you may want to consider creating a revocable living trust in Florida.

1. Avoid Probate

Probate in Florida can be expensive, time-consuming, and public. A revocable living trust allows your assets to pass directly to your beneficiaries without court involvement, making the process faster, more private, and less stressful for your loved ones.

2. Maintain Control While You’re Alive

As the initial trustee, you keep full control over your assets. You can update, amend, or even revoke the trust at any time while you are mentally competent, giving you flexibility as your circumstances or wishes change.

3. Plan for Incapacity

Life is unpredictable. If you become incapacitated, your successor trustee can step in immediately to manage your affairs—without the need for a court-appointed guardian. This ensures your bills are paid, your assets are managed, and your loved ones are supported without delays.

4. Preserve Your Privacy

Unlike a will, a trust is not part of the public record. That means your financial details, asset list, and distribution plans remain confidential, shielding your family from unwanted attention or disputes.

5. Simplify Asset Transfers

Assets titled in your trust can be distributed quickly and efficiently by your trustee. This avoids months (or years) of waiting and reduces legal costs, saving your beneficiaries both time and money.

6. Protect Your Florida Homestead Exemption

With proper drafting, a revocable trust can preserve your Florida homestead’s tax benefits and asset protection under the state constitution. This means you can enjoy the trust’s benefits without losing valuable homeowner protections.

7. Manage Out-of-State Property

If you own property outside Florida, you could face multiple probate proceedings in different states. Placing out-of-state property into your trust avoids this “ancillary probate,” saving your heirs additional legal headaches.

8. Support Blended Families

For blended families, trusts offer flexibility. You can provide for your current spouse during their lifetime while ensuring children from a prior marriage inherit later. This helps balance the needs of your spouse with your commitment to your children.

9. Encourage Financial Responsibility

You can set distribution conditions based on age, milestones, or responsible behavior. This can protect beneficiaries from spending their inheritance too quickly or making poor financial decisions.

10. Ease Business Succession

If you own a business, placing your interest in a trust can ensure a smoother transition to partners, heirs, or successors—helping your business continue without interruption.

Final Thoughts

A revocable living trust is not just for the wealthy—it’s a smart estate planning strategy for anyone who wants to protect their assets, maintain privacy, and spare their family from unnecessary stress.

If you’re in Florida and wondering whether a revocable living trust is right for you, speak with an experienced estate planning attorney who can tailor a plan to your needs.

1. TIMESHARING

Consistency and Routine: Children with special needs such as autism often thrive on routine and predictability. It’s important to establish a timesharing schedule that minimizes disruptions to their daily routines as much as possible.

Transition Planning: Plan for smooth transitions between households. Children with special needs may struggle with abrupt changes, so having a structured and well-communicated transition plan can be beneficial. Consider methods that you can use such as story boards, visual schedules to communicate with the plan with your child until he/she is used to it.

Communication: Maintain open and consistent communication with your co-parent about your child’s needs, preferences, and any changes in behavior or routines. Again, consistency between households can be reassuring for a child with Down Syndrome or other special needs.

Specialized Care: Ensure that both households are equipped to provide the necessary specialized care and support for your child, including any therapies, medications, or adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, PECs, laptops, etc.

Flexibility: While routines are important, be prepared to adjust the timesharing schedule when necessary to accommodate your child’s evolving needs or unexpected situations.

Professional Guidance: Consider involving professionals such as therapists, attorneys, or your child’s teacher who specializes in special needs to help develop a timesharing plan that best serves your child’s unique needs.

Remember that every child with special needs is unique, so it’s crucial to tailor your timesharing plan to your child’s specific requirements and preferences. Consulting with professionals experienced in these matters can be invaluable in this process.

2. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Child Support: Determine the appropriate amount of child support that will cover the unique needs of your special needs child and whether child support will continue past the age of 18/19 years old is appropriate. This should include expenses related to medical care, therapy, special education, and any other necessary support services.

Health Insurance and Medical Expenses: Decide how health insurance coverage will be provided for your child. This may involve maintaining the child on one parent’s plan or exploring other options, such as Medicaid or private insurance with appropriate coverage. Clarify how medical expenses beyond insurance coverage will be divided between both parents even after the age of 18/19/26 years old. This may include co-pays, deductibles, and any out-of-pocket costs for therapies and/or other interventions associated with your child’s condition.

Educational Expenses: Private Special education services and additional educational support may be necessary for your child so it is necessary to determine how these expenses will be addressed, including any tuition costs for specialized schools or alternative training programs.

Long-Term Planning: You may need a long-term plan to ensure that your child’s financial needs are met well into the future. This may involve creating a trust or special needs financial plan that provides for their ongoing care and support and should take into consideration the child’s living setting after the age of 18.

Social Security and Government Assistance: Investigate whether your child is eligible for Social Security Disability benefits or other government assistance programs such as the State of Florida, Agency for Persons with Disabilities’ Medwaiver Program. These can help cover some of the additional costs associated with their condition and/or provide additional services.

Legal Assistance: Seek legal counsel experienced in special needs cases to ensure that financial agreements in the divorce settlement adequately address your child’s specific needs and rights.

3. YOU

Parents who are getting a divorce while raising a special needs child often have unique emotional needs that should be recognized and addressed. Here are some other needs that are not often thought about if the parties are versed in the impact of having a special needs child.

Retirement – At times, one parent bears the brunt of caring for the child for a majority of the time. This means that that parent often must take off work in order to care for the child’s medical appointments, therapies, IEP meetings, and/or due to the child’s behavioral outburst. This responsibility may impact the parent’s career by interfering with his/her career development and ability to earn and contribute to his/her retirement. It is important to consider a 50/50 timesharing schedule, if feasible. If not, then this may be a reason for an unequal distribution of the marital assets and liabilities.

Professional Help –You should seriously consider accessing counseling to address potential feeling such as guilt and self-blame (wondering if your divorce is causing additional stress or harm to their child with special needs); stress and anxiety (divorce is inherently stressful, and when combined with the responsibilities of caring for a special needs child, it can lead to increased anxiety).

Self-Care: You should not neglect your own self-care while focusing on your child’s needs. You need reminders to prioritize self-care, including rest, relaxation, and pursuing activities they enjoy. You also need time for themselves to engage in personal interests and activities that help to maintain their emotional well-being.

Long-Term Planning – You need to develop their own long-term plan in the event that something should happen to them, and they are no longer able to care for their child with special needs.

Your Attorney- It is highly advisable to seek an attorney with specialized knowledge , resource connections, with special education, and guardian advocacy experience, who will ensure that your child’s unique needs are addressed comprehensively, and you are protected.

Turn the Page Now. Contact our partner -the Law Offices of E.F. Robinson, P.A. to represent you in your divorce with a special needs child: (954)840-5301 or www.efrobinson.law

We make plans for our careers, our families, our health, and our futures—but often overlook one of the most important protections we can put in place: an estate plan.

Estate planning isn’t just about money. It’s about making sure your values, your voice, and your wishes are honored, even when you’re no longer able to speak for yourself. It’s about protecting your loved ones from confusion, conflict, and unnecessary legal battles during the hardest moments of their lives.

Whether you’re single, married, a parent, a business owner, or retired—estate planning matters. And it may be the most important step you take to secure your future.

What Is Estate Planning?

Estate planning is the process of legally documenting your wishes about your health, your assets, and the people you care about—before something unexpected happens.

A complete estate plan often includes:

It’s not about how much you own—it’s about taking responsibility for what you’ve built and ensuring it’s protected the right way.

Why Estate Planning Is Essential—At Every Life Stage

Many people believe estate planning is only for the wealthy or elderly. The truth is, anyone who has loved ones or assets should have a plan in place.

Without one:

With a proper estate plan in place, you ensure that your values are carried out, your loved ones are cared for, and your affairs are handled the way you would want them to be.

The Power of a Trust

While a will allows you to outline your wishes, a trust gives you greater control, efficiency, and privacy.

A trust can:

If you’re looking for peace of mind and a clear roadmap for your legacy, a trust may be a smart and strategic choice.

A Team You Can Trust

At the Law Offices of E.F. Robinson, P.A., we know that planning your estate isn’t always easy to think about—but it’s one of the most empowering things you can do for your family.

That’s why Attorney Veronica Robinson, a dedicated advocate with decades of experience serving Florida families, has partnered with Attorney Marques Eason, founder of MELAW Florida and a leading estate planning attorney. Together, we offer holistic and deeply personalized estate planning services.

Our goal is to make the process clear, compassionate, and tailored to your specific life, goals, and values.

Your Legacy Deserves More Than a Default Plan

Without an estate plan, the state creates one for you—and it may not reflect your wishes or protect your loved ones the way you’d want.

By creating a thoughtful, legally sound plan now, you give your family the gift of clarity, protection, and peace. You reduce stress, avoid confusion, and ensure that your legacy lives on the way you intend.

Don’t wait until a crisis forces the conversation. Start planning today—because your voice matters, your legacy matters, and your loved ones deserve the security that only preparation can provide.

Because your legacy still matters—even when love ends later in life.

Divorce is rarely simple, but when it happens later in life—what’s often called a gray divorce—the concerns are different. You may no longer be raising young children or managing hectic custody schedules, but the stakes are still high.

One of the most common questions we hear from clients going through a gray divorce is this:
“How can I make sure my adult children’s inheritance is protected?”

It’s a valid concern—and a deeply personal one. After years of working, saving, and building a life, you want to ensure that what you leave behind goes to the people who matter most.

What Makes Gray Divorce Unique?

A gray divorce typically involves couples over 50 who are ending long-term marriages. These cases often include:

Unlike younger couples, there’s no focus on parenting plans or child support—but there is concern about preserving your financial legacy and protecting what’s rightfully yours (and your children’s) in the event of property division.

Can Divorce Impact Inheritance?

Yes, it can. If marital assets are not clearly separated from inherited property—or if estate planning hasn’t been updated—your adult children may end up receiving less than you intended.

Here are just a few examples of what could go wrong:

What Can You Do to Protect Their Future?

While every case is different, a few key legal steps can make all the difference:

Your Legacy Deserves Protection

Divorce later in life may be the end of a chapter, but it doesn’t have to rewrite the entire story for your children. If you’re in the process of a gray divorce—or considering one—it’s time to plan wisely.

Attorney Veronica Robinson understands the financial and emotional complexities of these situations. She can help you navigate the legal process with clarity, compassion, and a strong plan for the future.

Ready to talk about your next step?
Schedule a consultation today and let’s protect what truly matters—your peace of mind and your children’s future.

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